A crucial component of the Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) received proper recognition at the Thursday, May 24 school board work session. The Calvert County Board of Education (BOE), along with CCPS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jack Smith, saluted 23 of the 24 Volunteers of the Year for 2011-2012. Anne Varner Scott, Mill Creek Middle School’s Volunteer of the Year, was unable to attend the ceremony. It seems she was volunteering as a chaperone for her child’s field trip.
According to CCPS officials, the school system has nearly 10,800 volunteers who have contributed more than 79,000 hours of service this year at school sites and facilities. Many volunteers will continue their dedicated service during the summer months, aiding the closings and then preparing for the reopening of schools countywide.
Many of the volunteers are parents and grandparents. Several of this year’s honorees help tutor students have a tough time with reading and math. Others help out in school offices and bookstores, support the athletic teams and NJROTC. Some of the top volunteers have worn costumes in support of after-school fundraisers and programs. Many of the volunteers are involved in the PTA and similar organizations.
It was noted by Teacher Specialist Bridget Kluwin that one honoree, Diane Eaches of Appeal Elementary School, started a fund to help students who needed lunch money. Another volunteer, Rosanna Noyes, does landscaping work around Windy Hill Middle School. Among other things, Tiffany Brumley, Beach Elementary School’s top volunteer, works the concession stand at the school’s chess tournaments. Robert “Bud” Higgs, the only male among the 2011- 2012 group, volunteers at Windy Hill Elementary School’s media center. Northern Middle School’s top volunteer, Darcey Clark, has logged time as the school’s band uniform manager. Southern Middle School’s selectee, Alissa Leonard, is known by the students as “the lady at the dances.”
One of the honorees, Huntingtown High School’s Dee Dee Shirley, earned Calvert County’s Parent Involvement Matters Award from the Maryland State Department of Education.
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